Judge allows Capitol rioter to leave Texas to help with hurricane relief

WASHINGTON (CN) — A federal judge granted permission for a Texas man who brought weapons to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to head to Louisiana and help with Hurricane Ida relief, volunteer work that the former Marine has done several times before. 

“Mr. Harkrider is uniquely situated to do this kind of disaster relief,” Alex Harkrider’s defense attorney Kira Anne West told U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan on Tuesday during a motion hearing to modify the conditions of Harkrider’s release. “He would be doing what he was trained to do as a Marine and first responder.”

The 34-year-old Texan has been closely monitored after he brought guns, a ballistic vest and a tomahawk axe with him to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, accompanied his friend Ryan Nichols, who allegedly assaulted a police officer with an unknown chemical spray. 

“We’re in. 2 people killed already,” Harkrider wrote on Snapchat. “We need all the patriots of this country to rally the fuck up and fight for our freedom or it’s gone forever. Give us liberty, or give us death. We won’t stand for it.” 

Harkrider was released on bond in April and was put on house arrest with an electronic monitor. In late June, Hogan granted Harkrider’s motion to remove his ankle monitor after he claimed the $110 per month cost was a hardship for him, as his only income is disability checks from the government from injuries he sustained during his military service. 

According to his attorney, Harkrinker has a long history of volunteering, especially with hurricane rescues. He will be volunteering with Christian disaster relief nonprofit Cajun Army and supervised by one of the group's leaders, Katie Pechon, who Harkrider has worked with before. 

“This is what helped him with his mental health problems, which he suffers from the war,” West told Hogan. “It would be a wonderful thing for everyone: for the community as well as Mr. Harkrider.” 

Hogan granted the motion to modify Harkrider’s release conditions for two weeks, with the possibility of an extension. He said Harkrider needed to check in with his pretrial services officer one a week via telephone, if he was able to get reception. 

“I’ve got my loads ready to go on the trailer hitch on my truck right now,” Harkrider told the judge. “I’ve got gas, kegs of water, nonperishable food. I’m ready to help and serve my Cajun neighbors wherever they need me.”

Both Harkrider and Nichols have both been charged with a 13-count indictment. Harkrider has pleaded not guilty to most counts. 

Earlier on Tuesday, Bradley Rukstales, an Illinois man who threw a chair during the Capitol riot, pleaded guilty to parading or picketing in the Capitol — a misdemeanor plea deal that federal prosecutors have been handing out to many nonviolent offenders. 

“It was the single worst personal decision of my life,” Rukstales said in a statement. 

The 53-year-old man faces a maximum of six months in prison. Most of Rukstales’ co-defendants have also taken misdemeanor plea deals and face similar sentences. 

Follow Samantha Hawkins on Twitter

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